Florida school shooting: Students describe terror, panic during rampage

By:
Samantha Manning and Ken Tyndall, WFTV.com

Updated: Feb 15, 2018 - 4:49 AM

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Florida school shooting: Students describe terror, panic during rampage

PARKLAND, Fla. - Flashing lights and police tape still blocked the area surrounding Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, hours after investigators said a gunman opened fire, killing 17 people.

In a student’s Snapchat video, the sound of gunfire can be heard inside a classroom as students cried and crouched under their desks.

“I was just praying. Praying to God it was not me,” said Trayvon Telfair, a sophomore at the school.

Telfair said he was in the freshman building and was feet away from the gunfire.

Broward County Sheriff says 12 of the 17 victims have been identified. They are in the process of identifying the rest @WFTV

School was canceled for the remainder of the week and multiple grief counselors will be available, officials said.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott told reporters Wednesday evening he can't imagine what the families of the victims are going through. He also said he would be visiting hospitalized survivors.

Sheriff Scott Israel of Broward County also said at the news conference that families of the dead are being notified. He said 12 of the dead have been identified. He says not all victims were carrying identification and thus couldn't be quickly identified.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi says the state will cover funeral expenses for the victims and counseling for survivors.